Clasp foe



T. P. WALLACE.

CLASP ronsms, SUSPENDERS, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 28. l9l8.

Patented Sept. 30, 1919.

TNI ml. WRAP" 00-. mm. D. C.

THOMAS .P. WALLACE, F CONCORD, NEW .HAMLPSHIBE.

CLASPFOR BELTS, SUSPENDERS, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed October 28, 1918.

' ing is a specification.

My invention relates to clasps for belts, suspenders and the like and its object is to provide a device whereby the strap or webhing is secured to the frame by gripping action proportional to the pulling strain without the use of holes punched in such strap or webbing, and which may be made i of a minimum number of parts, without soldering, to simplify and cheap'en the construction of the same.

With this object in view my invention in its broadest aspect comprises a frame having'side portions provided with grooves and a gripping member arranged to slide in said grooves and force the strap or webbing against the front plate of the frame. The gripping member in one form of my invention is provided with trunnions arranged in said grooves so that it will have a pivotal movement with respect to the front plate of the frame and in another form the edges of the gripping member fit into grooves which are inclined with respect to said front plate.

The drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification show illustrative embodiments of my invention but it will be understood that various changes in form and arrangement may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings-- Figure 1 is a side view of a belt buckle embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the-same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig, 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4i of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a side view of a modification in which the gripping member has no pivotal movement with respect to the frame, and Fig. 6 is a plan View of said modification.

In the particular drawings selected for more fully disclosing my invention 1 represents the front plate of th frame of a belt buckle provided with upstanding side members 2, 2-, the inner surface of each of which.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept..30, 1919.

Serial No. 259,940.

is indented thereby forming a groove -3 in such inner surface and giving an embossed or beaded effect to the outer surface thereof,

as indicated at 3'.

Bridging members t, 4" integral with the side members of the frame are shown in the present instance as overlapping and secured together by rivets 5, although it will be understood that any suitable securing means may be employed for this purpose. A gripping member 6 consisting in the present instance of a plate having a forward biting edge 7 and provided with side members 8 cooperates with the frame by means of trunnions 9 shown in the present instance as stamped out of said side members. The said trunnions are arranged in the grooves 3 so that as will be obvious the gripping member or clamping plate 6 will slid-e in said grooves and may be partially rotated about the trunnions or pivots 9. One end of the front plate is rovided with a hook 1'0 preferably integnl therewith for receiving one end of the belt 11. The other end 12 is passed under the clam ing plate so that when a pulling strain 1s exerted the said plate will be drawn under the forward bridging member which acts as a stop and coiiperates with said plate at a point intermediate the ends thereof, whereby the strap or webbing is forced against the front plate of the frame and held tightly against the same by the wedging action of the gripping member and stop member.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the side members 2 of the frame are provided with inclined slots 12 for receiving the ends of the ripping plate 13, the forward portion 0t which has a biting edge 14. The rearward end of the front plate in this instance is bent up to form a hook 10'.

Having thus described the simple illus trative embodiments of my invention without however limiting the same thereto, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A clasp comprising a frame having a front plate and upstanding side members, the inner surface of each side member being indented to form a groove in such inner surface and a head on the outer surface thereof, a gripping member located within said frame, said gripping member being arranged to slide in said grooves and force a strap against said front plate, and a stop member arranged to cooperate with said gripping member.

2. A clasp comprising a frame having a front plate and upstanding side members,

5 the inner surface of each side member being indented to form a groove in such inner surface and a head on the outer surface thereof, a gripping mem ber located within,

said frame and arranged to slide in said grooves,said gripping member having pivsotalmovement with respect to said front fplate and being adapted to force a strap against the same, and a stop member arranged to cooperate with said" gripping member. J Y

3. A clasp comprising aframe having a front plate and upstanding side members,

theinner surface-of each sidemem-ber being indented to form a groove in such inner 0 surface and a head on the outer surface thereof, a gripping. member having trunnions arranged to slide'in said grooves, said gripping member being adapted toforce a strap. against said front plate, and a stop sflnember arranged to cooperate with said ripping member.

7 4. A clasp comprlsing a frame having a front plate and upstanding side members,

the inner surface of each side member being 7 5. A' clasp comprising a, frame-having a front plate andupstanding side members,

the inner surface of each side member being indented to form a groove in such innersurface and a bead on the outer surface thereof, a plate having side members and a forward biting edge, pivots stamped out of said side members of said plate and arranged in said grooves, said plate when in operative position being inclined with respect to the front plate of said frame, and a stop member arranged to cooperate with said plate at a point intermediate the ends thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 25th day of October,

V THOMAS P, WALLACE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner citPatents.

' Washington, D. G. p 

